Angelique Kerber also lost her second singles after her comeback and missed the decisive point for the mixed German tennis team at the United Cup. Despite an impressive start, the three-time Grand Slam tournament winner was defeated by Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia 6:1, 2:6, 2:6 in Sydney.
Because Alexander Zverev won before, the score is 1:1 after the two singles. With the second victory in the second preliminary round game, the German selection would make it perfect for the quarter-finals. The decision will be made in the final mixed.
In the second singles after her 18-month maternity break, Kerber (35) got off to an impressive start. The world rankings 20. However, Garcia also acted incorrectly and after just 23 minutes the Kiel player had secured the first set. The match then took an unexpected turn: Garcia improved considerably and was then too strong for Kerber.
Zverev won his match
Zverev also won his second singles match of the new season in three sets and put the German team in the lead. The Hamburg native (26) beat French veteran Adrian Mannarino 4:6, 6:4, 6:3.
At the start of their preliminary round games, Kerber and Zverev worked together to secure the decisive 2-1 win over Italy in the mixed doubles. Kerber lost her singles game against Italy, but Zverev equalized. The winners of the groups of three teams will surely qualify for the quarter-finals. The United Cup also serves as preparation for the Australian Open in Melbourne. The first Grand Slam tournament of the year begins in mid-January.
